What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V

[ruralavalon]

Just finished reading "A Confederacy of Dunces - J.K.Toole". I liked it. Hope Fortuna spins the wheel up for me.

I read this years ago, enjoyed it, and wished he had written more novels for me to enjoy.

[MP173]

Two books picked up this summer at garage sales for 25 cents;

The Columbia (University) History of the World, edited by John A. Garraty and Peter Gay. This is a 1200 pager written by different Columbia University professors. It was published in 1972 and is a "heavy" book. My guess is will be a book chewed a chapter at a time, perhaps over the course of a year or so. Has anyone read it?

Moment of Truth by Lisa Scottoline is a bit lighter read. Mystery/legal book.

Ed

[chaz]

"The Watchman" by Robert Crais, more Cole and Pike.

[MP173]

Chaz:
I enjoy Crais' books. Pike is one cruel dude.

Ed

[chaz]

Chaz:
I enjoy Crais' books. Pike is one cruel dude.

Ed

It's my favorite genre.

[jebmke]

The Faithful Spy - Alex Berenson.

[Bungo]

Chaz:
I enjoy Crais' books. Pike is one cruel dude.

Ed

I'm about to finish "LA Requiem" - I believe I got the recommendation from this thread. Pretty good, although the characters seem more sketched than three-dimensional. The killer in particular would have benefited from being fleshed out over maybe another 50 pages. Cole almost seems like a placeholder; he is almost devoid of personality. The flashbacks to earlier scenes in Pike's life were pretty good, and I found him a lot more interesting than Cole, but he's still something of a mystery figure by the end of the book. This book is somewhere in the middle of a series, however, so perhaps most of the back story comes from the earlier books. If I were to read another Crais book, which one should I choose? Is it best to start at the beginning (Monkey's Raincoat)?

[Default User BR]

The Atrocity Archives - Charles Stross. Geeky stuff/bureaucracy/spy thrills/sundry eldritch abominations all mixed up in a bucket (eggs on top, don't skimp on the pate).


Brian

[lwfitzge]

The Clash of Cultures: investment vs speculation, Jack Bogle

[GammaPoint]

The Physics of Solar Cells, by Jenny Nelson. The book isn't great and has a number of typos, but I am learning some stuff I should already know but never actually learned.

[Juniormint]

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol Dweck

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling

[DoubleDraw]

Crooked Cucumber - The Life and Zen Teachings of Shunryu Suzuki

[randomwalk]

I just finished Inferno by Max Hastings.

Now reading West of Here by Jonathan Evison.

[ruralavalon]

I just finished "Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America", by Robert Hackett Fischer.

Have just started "Anatomy of a Murder", by Robert Traver. We are on vacation in Michigan's Upper Penninsula, and I wanted to read something local.

[bengal22]

Ulysses by James Joyce

Read it in 1979 for a class and now I am trying it solo. Reading Lincoln by Gore Vidal as well to clear out my mind.

[nisiprius]

Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara.

[MP173]

Bungo:

Looking thru my book log, i have read the following Robert Crais/Cole/Pike novels:
The First Rule - this deals more with Pike and establishes his background. Pretty good book.
LA Requim - you have read this
The Forgotten Man - Not bad...it deals with Elvis Cole's investigation of a man who claims to have been his father. Background info on Cole.
The Last Detective - Not bad...Cole and Pike investigate the kidnapping of Cole's girlfriend's son.

These Crais books are good, not great and fill a need for me to read entertaining books with personalities. No where near Michael Connelly or James Lee Burke in writing ability, but a definate addition to my "list of approved authors".

Have you read any of the Lawrence Block books? I really like his Scudder charactor...this is set in New York City and deal with quite a few "charactors".
The Lee Child books on "Reacher" charactor are similar to Crais for me. Not mind bending but very entertaining with tough, tough guys.

Ed

[chaz]

"The Serpent on the Crown" by Elizabeth Peters.

[Bungo]

Bungo:

Looking thru my book log, i have read the following Robert Crais/Cole/Pike novels:
The First Rule - this deals more with Pike and establishes his background. Pretty good book.
LA Requim - you have read this
The Forgotten Man - Not bad...it deals with Elvis Cole's investigation of a man who claims to have been his father. Background info on Cole.
The Last Detective - Not bad...Cole and Pike investigate the kidnapping of Cole's girlfriend's son.

These Crais books are good, not great and fill a need for me to read entertaining books with personalities. No where near Michael Connelly or James Lee Burke in writing ability, but a definate addition to my "list of approved authors".

Have you read any of the Lawrence Block books? I really like his Scudder charactor...this is set in New York City and deal with quite a few "charactors".
The Lee Child books on "Reacher" charactor are similar to Crais for me. Not mind bending but very entertaining with tough, tough guys.

Ed

Thanks for the Crais recommendations. I enjoyed LA Requiem despite my observation that the characters didn''t seem very fully developed. I'll try one of the other titles you listed. Haven't read any Lawrence Block books, but he's on my to-check-out list.

Having finished LA Requiem, I'm now about 50 pages into Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. Very nice so far. I'll write more about it once I finish it.

[MP173]

Bungo:

Let me know what you think of David Mitchell. I havent heard of him.

Currently reading Moment of Truth by Lisa Scottoline. My first book by her...picked it up at a garage sale for a quarter. First 100 pages I was ready to quit, after 200 pages it is picking up a little steam. Interesting plot, husband confesses to murdering wealthy wife to protect 16 year old daughter who is a teen model (who appears to have killed the mom).

Ed

[SGM]

"Tough Without a Gun," about Bogart.

"How to Live with Uncertainty, Risk Intelligence," by Dylan Evans.

[archman65]

[political content removed by admin alex]

[ruralavalon]

"Misery Bay", and
"Back to Misery Bay",
both by Lauri Andersen.
Tales of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

[book lover]

The Mobile Wave by Michael Saylor
Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon
The Practicing Mind by Thomas Sterner
This Will Make You Smarter Edited by John Brockman
I Know Who You Are And I Saw What You Did by Lori Andrews

[Jerilynn]

[Relious and Political title removed by Mod; neither topic is allowed on this forum]

I understand. Even though I was just posting the title of the book I'm reading, I understand.

[jaia]

Robert Caro's latest book on LBJ. Fascinating.

[jaia]

I read Shantaram a few years ago and it is sitting on my night stand again. The first page is stunning and it is hard to put down.

?

Shantaram is one of my all-time favorite books. The images of India have always stayed with me..

[BenBritt]

The Book of Psalms.

[jaia]

"The Lost Continent." Bill Bryson. He drives his mother's Chevette around the United States in 1987 in search of the perfect small town. He ends up where he started, but in the interval reviews truck stops, state troopers, and Motel 6.

Bryson's books are wonderful. One that he wrote about England ("Notes from a Small Island", I think) has a description of Cricket that is one of the funniest paragraphs I've ever read. A "Walk in the Woods" is classic too.

[chaz]

"Wild Justice" by Phillip Margolin.

[jaia]

A few recent good ones:

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand - a well written true story of a WWII prison camp survivor, and olympian.

The Secret Life of Henrietta Laacks, by Rebecca Skloot - a true story where the author traces a unique strain of genetic research cells back to the person they came from.

At Home, by Bill Bryson - Bryson looks at his home in England, with his own unique historical vision and humor.

John Adams, by David McCullough - maybe the best biography I've ever read, by an author known for great biographies

and

Salt, a World History, by Mark Kurlansky - fascinating history of an indispensable mineral.

[MP173]

jaia:

I read Caro's book also and agree. Very interesting book. He was a very complex man.

Ed

[Fallible]

A few recent good ones: ...

John Adams, by David McCullough - maybe the best biography I've ever read, by an author known for great biographies

I loved this book for its great detail, which is one way McCullough puts you right in the scene. I read it a couple years ago and still think often of the opening lines, with Adams and a companion on a long journey by horseback on a winter night, forced to stay at a walk on snow and ice.

[Bungo]

jaia:

I read Caro's book also and agree. Very interesting book. He was a very complex man.

Ed

Some years ago I read Caro's "The Power Broker," which is a biography of Robert Moses, probably the single individual who has had the most impact on the physical development of New York City and its environs. It was a fascinating story on many levels, and one of the best biographies I've ever read. Very highly recommended.

I'll get to the LBJ series one of these days, but have to admit I'm daunted by the sheer number of pages to be conquered in that mountain. Also, I was waiting for the 4th and what I thought was to be the final volume to be published. Now it seems there's going to be a 5th, assuming Caro lives long enough to finish it!

[traineeinvestor]

The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins

A fascinating look at evolution - tracing the origins of present day humans all the way back to the first life forms on the planet.

[a2z]

I'm currently reading The Warmth of Other Suns which chronicles America's great black migration from 1915-1970. As usual the clarity of history helps me understand now.

[linenfort]

'Zahra's Paradise' - very enlightening book if you're interested in Iran.

[nisiprius]

The Clash of Cultures, by John C. Bogle. But to tell the truth I find it a little frustrating, because I can agree with what he says, but feel powerless to do much about it.

[69CamaroSS]

The Prize by Daniel Yergin
"the epic quest fo oil, money and power"

Fabulous read on the history of oil and the roll it has played and is playing in the modern age.

Pulitzer Prize winner

[LazyNihilist]

I want to read The Power Broker by Robert Caro, but couldn't find an electronic version for kindle and the book is soooo huge.

[jaia]

I'll get to the LBJ series one of these days, but have to admit I'm daunted by the sheer number of pages to be conquered in that mountain. Also, I was waiting for the 4th and what I thought was to be the final volume to be published. Now it seems there's going to be a 5th, assuming Caro lives long enough to finish it!

I finally finished it. I read it on Kindle, and was a little discouraged when it showed only 60% completed. But it ended there and the rest consists of footnotes.

This one ended before most o the the Vietnam War escalation. That should be a good discussion in the next book, if the author and I live to see it.

You can see why it took so long to write it (in addition to the fact that he does it on a typewriter). The research is meticulous.

Now I've started another interesting book by Fr. Greg Doyle - Tattoos on the Heart - about a gang ministry in Los Angeles. Very thought provoking so far.

[Bungo]

I want to read The Power Broker by Robert Caro, but couldn't find an electronic version for kindle and the book is soooo huge.

Yes, it's a brick! I read it as a used paperback, and then gave it to a friend after I finished it. He reported that it broke in half while he was reading it, which actually made it easier to handle.

[Bungo]

Let me know what you think of David Mitchell. I havent heard of him.
d

A little more than halfway through now - I'm really digging Cloud Atlas. It's an unconventional novel, comprised of 6 loosely connected short stories, five of which are divided in half, so that you read it in this order:

first half of part 1
first half of part 2
..
first half of part 5
all of part 6
second half of part 5
...
second half of part 1

Each story is (very well) written its own distinct style, e.g. part 1 is written as a diary of a 19th century colonist in the Pacific islands, part 5 is set in a futuristic dystopia "Brave New World" environment, and so on. Each one is interesting in its own right, and it's intriguing to see how they are linked together. Highly recommended if this sort of thing is your cup of tea.

[coldav]

Doing a reread of "Adventures Of Augie March" by Saul Bellow. For sure, a heavy hitter author, winning several awards including the Noble Prize for literature. It's the only book I have read of his. Sometimes I am lost with his references to philosphy and mythology, but otherwise enjoy this coming of age book during the Great Depression in Chicago.

[MP173]

I could really discuss Caro's book, but the sensitive nature of the moderators would no doubt find the thread banned. This is an excellent book on politics and how it works. Really should be read by this forum to realize how Washington really works.

Currently reading Silent Partner by Jonathan Kellerman...picked it up at the library today and saved $10.

Ed

[chaz]

I could really discuss Caro's book, but the sensitive nature of the moderators would no doubt find the thread banned. This is an excellent book on politics and how it works. Really should be read by this forum to realize how Washington really works.

Currently reading Silent Partner by Jonathan Kellerman...picked it up at the library today and saved $10.

Ed

Jonathan Kellerman is one of my favorite authors.

[LazyNihilist]

Just finished reading "A Confederacy of Dunces - J.K.Toole". I liked it. Hope Fortuna spins the wheel up for me.

I read this years ago, enjoyed it, and wished he had written more novels for me to enjoy.

The more I think about it, the more I feel like Ignatius Reilly.
What a fantastic book. I too want more of novels like this.

I am reading a few of P.G. Wodehouse novels, but these are mostly farce with just a touch of satire. A Confederacy of Dunces combines farce and satire beautifully.

[pennstater2005]

I am currently reading William Bernstein's "The Investor's Manifesto". It's been a great read so far. Looking to read a John Bogle book next but not sure which one to start with.

[Taylor Larimore]

I am currently reading William Bernstein's "The Investor's Manifesto". It's been a great read so far. Looking to read a John Bogle book next but not sure which one to start with.

Pennstater:

You can read excerpts from seven of Mr. Bogle's books in my Investment Gems. Read the excerpts and select the book that most appeals to you. You will be learning from the excerpts at the same time.

http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Taylor_L ... tment_Gems

Best wishes
Taylor

[pennstater2005]

Taylor

Thanks for the tip. Off to check that out now